The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-23

not help wondering why Mrs.
Grundy, who is so particularly
critical in some things, should have
so long ignored the vulgarities Of the
ocean bath. Here men and women,
young girls and youths half nude, and
with the covered portions Of their
bodies plainly outlined by their
clinging wet robes, mix and mingle
and indulge in familiarities which
would not be tolerated on land.
A pretty young lady swan from
the beach out to the diving pavilion
yesterday. Then she clambored up
on the pavilion with ten or twelve
others Of both sexes. Here, in full
sight Of all spectators on shore and
all her companions, she lifted her
short skirts trife and adjusted the
elastic Of her long stocking, which
had become loosened with the effort
Of swimming She did this with the
utmost nonchalence; yet just imagine
the sensation it would cause If she
should perform this same harmless
little toilet act on the veranda, in
presence Of the same audience. She
would be cut dead by every woman,
and quite likely requested to leave
the hotel. Yet doubt If anyone be-
side myself noticed or commented on
the little performance-it is such an
every day occurrence. lido not wish
to seem hypecritical, and | believe |
have never been called over particu-
lar or prudish, but | can't help won.
dering why the same act is deemed
proper in this place and vulgar in
another.
Only last week | heard a young
piss declaring she would not dance
with any man unless he were rela-
tive or very dear friend. II don't
like and won't tolerate any man in
such close proximity to me-" she
said, unless he is q relative"
Yesterday'I saw her swim to the
shore with q male escort who was
not q relative, and il seemed TO me
the situation held good deal more
Of unpleasant familiarity than any
waltz ever contained. She sat down
in the sand, aud her escort leaned
on his elbow close beside her. He
wore q single, very thin garment,
which exposed his brawny arms and
bony neck, and unlovely ankles and
feet. The single garment chung close
to his body, and displayed his entire
anatomy with unblushing distinct
ness. Her own pretty arms were
bare TO the shoulders, aud as she sat
curled up in the sand, one could gain
a very pleasing outline OF her grace.
full limbs and rounded shape. But
again fell to making comparisons.
Suppose" | said mentally, that
young lady should meet that young
gentleman in the halls OF the hotel
arrayed precisely as she is now-she
would run screaming to her room,
indignant and alarmed. II he should
approach her in that attire on the
lawn and attempt TO sit down beside
her, she would call policemen TO
arrest him. Queer, is not it?"
Some OF the young ladies who have
heard that bathing Is not as fashion
able as IL used to be-unwilling TO be
independent, yet more unwilling to
abandon the delight Of daily swim
choose an afternoon hour when other
people are mapping, and paddle about
in pretty costumes, with no male
spectators, or at least only an acct
dental one.
These were the young ladies who
declared they would not be intro
duced to or dance with any strangers
at the hop given in honor OF yacht.
ing club recently.
This led a happily married matron
TO discuss the prophecies with me.
II like TO see girls prudent, she
said, but IL seems 10 me that young
people do not have quite so good
times as they used 10 at these resorts.
No matter how we'll recommended a
young man may be, some OF these very
particular girls declare they will not
dance with anyone save an Intimate
friend.
ut is commcndable, no doubt and
yet, she added, with an arch laugh,
why, | shouldn't have been Johns
wife today If / had been 40 careful.
danced with him the first night ]
met him, and we found We kent step
so nicely We concluded 10 glide
through life together. / am sure
young folks had better time ia
those years than they do now, aud |
really don't think any more mis-
fortunes befell them than in these
conventional days"
Last evening the children we're
dancing, and | overheard an anus.
ing conversation between a trio a,
the parlor door. A tiny young gal
FAINT in long stockings was begging
two smaller belles-not over ten
years OF age-to let him introduce a
friend OF his-a niue year old boy,
who had arrived that day with his
parents.
"0h, but we couldn't think Of
dancing with him." said the two
naughty young misses. I'VE don't
we don't know him at all, you seel'
20 pshaw, now-I say como-let',
make up set and have good time, =
pleaded the boy. Hes q good
dancer, and he wants 10 get acquaint.
ed, you know. Let me Introduce
him"
"Well-but really we cannot dane,
with such q stranger" the girls in
sisted, aud / went TO my room u
ponder over the wonderful prudenc,
and decorum Of the growing genera
ton.
| KagaIIw shat